12 June 2013: The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has circulated for peer review a draft study on how tasks 7 (guidelines to ensure equitable benefit-sharing, prior informed consent and identification of obligations of countries of origin and user countries), 10 (standards and guidelines for the reporting and prevention of unlawful appropriation of traditional knowledge and related genetic resources) and 12 (guidelines to assist governments in implementing Article 8(j)(traditional knowledge)) of the revised programme of work on Article 8(j) and related provisions of the Convention could best contribute to work under the Convention and the Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit-sharing (ABS).

It is noted in the draft study that tasks 7 and 10 both call for specific actions that logically fall within the broad scope of task 12, and that related work falls into three main categories that will best contribute to advancing the goals of the Convention and the Nagoya Protocol on ABS: preventing the unlawful appropriation of traditional knowledge and related genetic resources; ensuring that the right of indigenous and local communities to free, prior and informed consent regarding their traditional knowledge is respected; and ensuring that indigenous and local communities equitably share in benefits derived from the use of their traditional knowledge. The study thus focuses on these three goals, setting forth the work that has been done so far in each area and offering a procedural and complementary way forward.

The draft study will be accessible until 12 July 2013. Comments and suggestions for additions and amendments should be sent to the CBD Secretariat. [CBD Notification][Publication: Draft Expert Study on Tasks 7, 10 and 12 of the Program of Work on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions, to Identify how the Implementation of These Tasks Could Best Contribute to Work under the Convention and the Nagoya Protocol]